Euronaval 2016 Final Report

On 20 October 2016, during the 25th Euronaval show, Laurent Collet-Billon, Délégué général pour l’armement and his British counterpart Harriett Baldwin, have officially launched the Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures project, in front of Patrice Caine and Ian King, respectively CEOs of Thales and BAE Systems. © J.-M. Guhl
On 20 October 2016, during the 25th Euronaval show, Laurent Collet-Billon, Délégué général pour l’armement and his British counterpart Harriett Baldwin, have officially launched the Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures project, in front of Patrice Caine and Ian King, respectively CEOs of Thales and BAE Systems. © J.-M. Guhl

EURONAVAL 2016, another great venue for the naval technologies of the future

The 25th Euronaval exhibition closed its doors last Friday 21st October in Paris-Le Bourget with very positive results for all those involved in the naval sector; industrialists, delegations, international organisation, visitors and journalists. Created in 1968 under General de Gaulle’s last presidential tenure, this biennial event continues to confirm its position as the outmost world leader of naval defence exhibitions, with again this year a particularly promising offer, singularly for the French naval industry and its numerous partners, in Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Admiral Christophe Prazuck, the French Navy chief of staff (at right) in discussion with Pascal Piriou (centre), head of the Piriou shipyard in Concarneau, Brittany.  © J.-M. Guhl
Admiral Christophe Prazuck, the French Navy chief of staff (at right) in discussion with Pascal Piriou (centre), head of the Piriou shipyard in Concarneau, Brittany. © J.-M. Guhl

A very rewarding exhibition

As pointed out by Euronaval’s director Hugues du Plessis d’Argentré : “Despite the particularly demanding security requirements implemented this year, participation levels are comparable to those of the last edition, and according to the exhibitors themselves, there is a clear progression in terms of the quality of professional visitors. On the whole the results are highly positive for this 25th edition, with the presence of  some 130 official delegations from 65 countries and more than 20 chiefs of staff from foreign Navies. One of its kind in the naval defence sector, this exhibition displaying vessels, submarines and naval equipment has established its position as leader with decision makers and contractors in this dynamic sector. In 2016, all the « Majors » were present!”

For the 2016 edition, 129 delegations were welcomed at the exhibition, including 89 foreign military delegations representing 64 coutnries on the 5 continents. Among the French and European delegations, there were ministerial and parliametary delegations, as well as representatives from the Court of Auditors, the MEDEF, CNI, the Military School, IHEDN (Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defence)…

Admiral Mohammed Larbi Haouli, the Algerian National Navy chief of staff is being given explanations about the novel French 4,000-ton Belharra light frigate on the DCNS exhibition stand. © J.-M. Guhl
Admiral Mohammed Larbi Haouli, the Algerian National Navy chief of staff is being given explanations about the novel French 4,000-ton Belharra light frigate on the DCNS exhibition stand. © J.-M. Guhl

Welcome to the Belharra and MCMM

Coming as a special announcement by the French Minister of Defence on Tuesday 18th October, on the Ministère de la Défense stand, Jean-Yves Le Drian in person chose Euronaval to reveal the first scale model of the future intermediate-size frigates (FTI) — the 4,000-ton Belharra (after the name of a famous Basque shoal off Saint-Jean-de-Luz in France. Due to equip the Marine Nationale during this coming next decade, the FTI programme will provide a replacement for the La Fayette-class frigates. This project was decided upon in mid-2015 on the occasion of the legislation update for military programming. The objective is ambitious, as the delivery of the first frigate is set for 2023. With a tonnage of exactly 4,200 tonnes, the FTI will be implemented by a crew of 125 staff. For 2030, these 5 new first-line frigates will complement the French Navy’s  main order of battle comprising 8 multimission Aquitaine-class frigates (FREMM) and the 2 Horizon-type Forbin-class air defence destroyers.

On Thursday 20th October, duirng a common press conference, Laurent Collet-Billon, délégué général pour l’armement and his UK counterpart Harriett Baldwin, officially launched the common Maritime Mine Counter Measures project aiming at providing the two countries with a new strategic anti-mine tool. Relying mostly on advanced over-water and under-water drones, the MMCM will give life to a pair of identical prototypes due for delivery in 2019. One for the Royal Navy, and one for the Marine Nationale. Run by a UK-French consortium led by Thales Underwater Systems (under OCCAr control), it will rally Thales, BAE Systems, ECA and ASV, and provide much robotic innovations in fighting mines. “Some 300,000 active mines, left over by earlier conflicts of the 20th Century still exist and represent a real threat” Harriett Baldwin declared.

Guénaël Guillerme, directeur-général of Groupe ECA, pictured introducing his now 80-year company to the press. ECA will soon provide specialised underwater drones for the Franco-British MMCM project due to boost the counter-mine skill of the Marine National and the Royal Navy.  © J.-M. Guhl
Guénaël Guillerme, directeur-général of Groupe ECA, pictured introducing his now 80-year company to the press. ECA will soon provide specialised underwater drones for the Franco-British MMCM project due to boost the counter-mine skill of the Marine National and the Royal Navy. © J.-M. Guhl

Naval aviation in respite

If no new aircraft was ostentiously exhibited during Euronaval 2016, for the exception of maritime variants of well-known long-range business jets from Gulfstream and Dassault, UAVs of all sorts made their turn on the show roster. Nowadays the focus is rightly placed on the operational and network-centered relation between a ship and an aerial platform thanks to the important steps made in the field of tactical data links.

The fact that some 15 legacy Breguet-Dassault Atlantique (ATL2) will be provided with another long spell of life was well advertised during Euronaval. Presently shared between Flottilles 21F and 23F based in Lann-Bihoué, some twenty Atlantiques provide sterling services over the sea as well as over desertic war zones. Much of these exceptionnally rugged long-range patrol aircraft are scheduled to be modernised with new electronic equipments provided by Thales, Safran, Wescam among others.

Selected by the French Navy to update the self-defence artillery of the Mistral-class BPCs, Nexter’s Narwhal remotely operated 20mm cannon has recently being installed in pair on the FS Dixmude in place of earlier hand-held 0.5mm machine guns. © J.-M. Guhl
Selected by the French Navy to update the self-defence artillery of the Mistral-class BPCs, Nexter’s Narwhal remotely operated 20mm cannon has recently being installed in pair on the FS Dixmude in place of earlier hand-held 0.5mm machine guns. © J.-M. Guhl

New submarines in the limelight

With no less than half a dozen new models of attack submarines today under series construction or development around the planet, the world of under water vessels is ebullient. Kockums with the A26 model, and DCNS with the Scorpène 2000, Barracuda and Shortfin Barracuda were on top of the list, trawling in their wake a large choice of weapons including long-range strike missiles, not to mention advanced propulsion and breathing systems and special forces packages.

The greatest novelty for modern SSKs and SSNs is the family of advanced non-penetrating masts which allow for a total reorganisation of the CMS onboard a submarine, thus keeping the sail in the best c.g. zone in order to increase operational diving speed.

Hervé Guillou, CEO of DCNS (at left), in conversation with members of his personnel in front of a 1/50 scale model of the 5,000-ton Scorpene 2000 ; the latest export variant of this very successful SSK. © J.-M. Guhl
Hervé Guillou, CEO of DCNS (at left), in conversation with members of his personnel in front of a 1/50 scale model of the 5,000-ton Scorpene 2000 ; the latest export variant of this very successful SSK. © J.-M. Guhl

Milestones at sea

Safran Electronics & Defense, the European leader in optronic systems for surface vessels, has chalked up a record order volume for its Vigy Observer naval optronic system, now standing at 250 units. The company reached this milestone thanks to a recent export order from a navy that wants to use this technology on several dozen fast attack craft for commando forces. Ten navies worldwide have now ordered the Vigy Observer system.

Safran’s new non-penetrating submarine Series 30 advanced optronic masts already chosen by several shipyards in France, Korea and Sweden to equip future undersea vessels. © J.-M. Guhl
Safran’s new non-penetrating submarine Series 30 advanced optronic masts already chosen by several shipyards in France, Korea and Sweden to equip future undersea vessels. © J.-M. Guhl

Developed and produced by Safran Electronics & Defense, Vigy Observer is a light, panoramic, multi-sensor shipboard optronic system. It is operated from a touch terminal and includes a cooled infrared imager, video channels and a laser rangefinder. Employing advanced stabilization techniques, it provides clear images day or night, including in rough seas and at speeds exceeding 50 knots. Capable of detecting targets out to a range of 16 km and more, Vigy Observer will provide a decisive advantage in the asymmetrical environments where fast attack craft are deployed: protection of ports and infrastructures, maritime police, anti-terrorist and anti-piracy combat. The system is well suited to government actions at sea, including coast guards, fast attack craft and ocean-going patrol boats. It provides invaluable assistance in missions designed to protect fishing and economic zones, navigation aid, and assistance to ships and crews at sea.

Safran’s optronic systems are used on some of today’s most modern warships, including the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier, Mistral BPC amphibious assault ships, Canberra helicopter carriers and Hobart destroyers (Australia), European Aquitaine and Horizon class frigates and Baynunah corvettes (United Arab Emirates). Safran supplies key systems and equipment to over 600 surface ships from around the world.

MBDA displayed for the first tie ever a real-life Simbad-RC turret. This brand new air defence system is a remotely controlled, lightweight twin-launcher equipped with two ready-to-fire Mistral missiles that has been designed essentially for the anti-air defence of Fast Patrol Boats and logistic support ships. It has been ordered by an unidentified Mid-Oriental customer.

Jean-Michel Palagos, CEO of DCI, seen posing with Joseph Roukoz at Euronaval 2016. An offshoot of the French MoD, DCI has so far been very affluent providing formation and training to many allied and friendly navies around the world. © J.-M. Guhl
Jean-Michel Palagos, CEO of DCI, seen posing with Joseph Roukoz at Euronaval 2016. An offshoot of the French MoD, DCI has so far been very affluent providing formation and training to many allied and friendly navies around the world. © J.-M. Guhl

The Euronaval 2016 Trophies

The three winners of the Euronaval 2016 Trophies were awarded their prizes by Jean-Yves Le Drian during the official exhibition opening ceremony on Tuesday 18th October 2016. The jury of journalists and professionals chose three winners who represent the industrial momentum present in the world naval sector:

the EURONAVAL Trophy for “Drones – robotics – autonomous systems” went to the company ECA for the development of its STERNA system.

the EURONAVAL Trophy for “Conceptships – vessel of the future” was awarded to the company VOITH TURBO, for the VOITH LINEAR JET

the GICAN Trophy for “Digital – virtual and augmented reality simulation” was awarded to the company SBS Interactive for the VIS-On innovative solution software for enriched reality virtualisation.

Besides promoting its Rafale M fighter on the international market, Dassault Aviation is today very active in marketing military maritime variants of its upper-end business aircraft like the Falcon 2000 MRA capable of launching a pair of MBDA AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles. © J.-M. Guhl
Besides promoting its Rafale M fighter on the international market, Dassault Aviation is today very active in marketing military maritime variants of its upper-end business aircraft like the Falcon 2000 MRA capable of launching a pair of MBDA AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles. © J.-M. Guhl

International colloquium

On Tuesday afternoon on October 18th, a high-level colloquium brought together industrialists, politicians and sailors to discuss a topical issue: “Together for safe and secure oceans”. Opened by the President of Euronaval, Patrick Boissier, this colloquium was concluded by Admiral Christophe  Prazuck, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the French Navy.

A three-day French-Australian seminar organised by the GICAN. Against the backdrop of the future order of Australian submarines, this 3-day seminar, held in the presence of Martin HAMILTON-SMITH, Minister of Defence for South Australia, was the opportunity to encourage exchange and build relations between industrial, state and academic players from France and Australia. Concurrent to the seminar, close to 70 meetings between French and Australian industrialists were organised.

Euronaval key figures for 2016

  • 403 exhibitors
  • 56% foreign exhibitors
  • 34 nationalities including France, with one new nation: Japan
  • 10 national pavilions including one new: Denmark
  • 129 delegations
  • 20 Navy chiefs of staff
  • 23 250 professional visits
  • 579 business meetings
  • 81 media martners
  • 322 journalists
  • 15,000 m2 exhibition space
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